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Portugal’s Tomas Amaral named sporting director of Russia’s Spartak Moscow FC

The football club stated that the Portuguese expert will settle into his role on January 1, 2024

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Portugal’s Tomas Amaral has been appointed to the post of sporting director of Russia’s legendary Spartak Moscow football club, which plays in the country’s top-tier Russian Premier League (RPL), the club’s press office announced in a statement on Friday.

The football club stated that the Portuguese expert will settle into his role on January 1, 2024. Amaral replaces Brit Paul Ashworth, who, according to the club’s press office, will now serve as Spartak Moscow FC’s technical director.

"I am happy to become a part of such grand club," the statement quoted Amaral as saying. "I know that Spartak [FC] is the people’s real club in Russia."

"Besides the Portuguese, I speak Spanish and English, but I also know a few words in Russian, and I am sure that my wife, who is a Russian, will help me both in learning the language and adjusting to the new country," he added.

Before joining the Spartak FC, Amaral worked in various football posts including the post of a senior scout for the Portuguese FC Benfica, where he worked for four and a half years.

Spartak Moscow FC is currently 5th in the 2023/2024 RPL Championship with 30 points after 18 rounds of the tournament.

Throughout its 101-year history, Spartak Moscow FC has been a 12-time USSR champion and ten-time champion of Russia. The team is the winner of numerous other awards and trophies.

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